In an episode of “The Office,” Michael Scott embarks on a solo journey through the New York City subway. Addressing the camera, he says, “Everybody takes the subway in New York. It’s fast. It’s efficient. Gets you there on time. It’s a way to ... OK, there’s a (pigeon) down there.”
Michael Scott didn’t actually mention any local wildlife during his adventure in New York, but he might have if he were riding the rails in Boston in 2026.
While the passenger pigeon species is extinct, other members of the pigeon family are working hard to keep the name alive, at least in name. Like any busy Bostonian, these birds have places to be — and apparently, they’re tired of flying. For one pigeon in particular, the best way to get across town was catching the subway for a few stops.
After ABC News shared a video online of the well-mannered bird hitching a ride, users flocked to the comments to provide context and commentary on the pigeon’s subway adventure.
The bird’s behavior sparked comparisons to its human counterparts. Several noted the pigeon seemed “even more polite than some people,” while another called it the “only polite person in Boston.”
“That pigeon has better commute etiquette than half the humans on the Red Line,” one user wrote. “Polite boarding, scenic ride, calm exit. Legend.”
Others defended the bird’s choice in transit: “As expected, the subway is the best option for getting around most of the time.”
Some users imagined the bird’s internal monologue: “’You know, I’ve always wanted to try this‚’” and “‘Off to work. Another day, another bread crumb.’”
The pigeon’s adventure even prompted a rebranding suggestion, renaming the MBTA to “Massachusetts Bird Transportation Authority.”
Pigeons: A history on the subway
The news of Boston’s latest subway rider, who may or may not have paid for a ticket, delighted many audiences.
However, one user was not as impressed, suggesting avian commuters were old news and deserved a bit of privacy. “So what?” they wrote. “There’s a pigeon that regularly commutes on the overground gets off at surrey quays. We don’t need to film beings privately going about their business.”
Though this might be a first for Boston’s Red Line, pigeons have been seen riding trains and subways worldwide for years. From Toronto to New York, the feathered passengers seem to have mastered the art of the commute.
Not all pigeons are lucky enough to make it through the sliding doors. Some may find themselves on the wrong side of the glass, but still try to hitch a ride nonetheless.